If we’ve learned one lesson as a society from the continuing crisis and fallout from COVID-19, it is the importance of strong safety measures to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens like the coronavirus at the center of the chaos.
Arguably, no venue is more critical to sanitize than a hospital. Because of its role as a refuge for the sick and injured, hospitals are swarming with viruses and bacteria that threaten human health. In this article, we’ll discuss four of the most vital aspects of healthcare facility sanitation.
Clean Water
In addition to the need for clean water to drink, no cleaning regime is complete without water. Clean water is needed to clean floors, restrooms, bedpans, and every other aspect of hospital care. One study in 2016 found that as high as 20% of hospitals and clinics around the globe had no access to water. This is a critical point that must be addressed.
Boilers provide an essential purpose in hospitals. In addition to providing heat for the building, they also heat and sanitize the water used for sterilizing equipment, washing laundry, and making food for patients, doctors, and visitors. Keeping your boilers in good shape and getting regular burner services done helps protect staff, patients, and guests.
Human and Other Hazardous Waste Management
Obviously, nature calls, even in hospitals. Human waste is different from other types of trash in that it often carries harmful bacteria such as E. coli that could cause a serious outbreak in a hospital setting.
A proper amount of restroom facilities with running water is critical to prevent the spread of disease through human waste. The same goes for other hazardous biological materials.
Laundry Facilities
Hospitals use a lot of linen in the form of hospital gowns, towels, sheets, and more. Keeping them clean is a huge burden, one that many hospitals struggle to meet—especially when they do not have the appropriate equipment. If necessary, update laundry machines to keep up with demand of clean linens, clothes, towels, and other materials in your health care facility.
Ventilation Services
Many pathogens, including the COVID-19 coronavirus, travel through the air. Studies have shown that viruses like COVID-19 can linger in the air, adding to the alarming rate at which infections spread.
In a hospital setting with patients who may have compromised immune systems and are therefore highly susceptible to airborne infections, ventilation is needed to move contaminated air out and clean air in.
Although American hospitals generally achieve a higher level of cleanliness than hospitals in developing countries, sanitation is still a serious concern and there remains substantial room for improvement. Each year, millions of people across the world become infected with parasites and pathogens that could have been eliminated with the right safety and sanitation protocols in place.
Anita is a freelance writer from Denver, CO. She studied at Colorado State University, and now writes articles about about health, business, family and finance. A mother of two, she enjoys traveling with her family whenever she isn’t writing.
